Judge's decision could affect Goode-Perriello race

A hearing on December 8 in U.S. District Court in Richmond could affect the outcome the still-too-close-to-call race for Congress between Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Rocky Mount) and Tom Perriello (D-Ivy). Judge Richard L. Williams will decide whether to count absentee ballots from members of the military mailed past the absentee ballot deadline of Saturday, November 1. It remains unknown just how many of those ballots were from the Fifth District, but attorneys for the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) estimate a total of 5,000 absentee ballots had come in after the deadline. Perriello currently leads Goode by 745 votes.

6 comments

"The late ballots alone also would not alter the outcome of the extremely close 5th District congressional race. Hurd [William Hurd, an attorney for the McCain campaign] said only about 200 ballots were received late in that district, where unofficial returns show Democrat Tom Perriello with 745 votes more than Republican Rep. Virgil Goode."

Since recounts in Virginia really only verify the certification process, certified totals are very likely to stand. With only 200 additional votes available through the military absentee ballots, Goode's defeat is likely assured.

JC November 18th, 2008 | 2:44pm

it is time for Goode to go, a CHANGE has come to the White House and Virginia

Indeed, this new influx of military ballots, unless it's way more than the current estimates say it is, would seem unlikely to flip the outcome of this race. But it ain't over 'til it's over, and Goode's not conceding anything.

Thanks for reading.

Sincerely,
Lindsay Barnes

ThatGrrl November 18th, 2008 | 4:34pm

Goode won't concede until after Perriello is sworn into office, at this rate. And even still, I somehow imagine him dreaming of ways to contest the election, when the recount (that he'll undoubtedly request) doesn't go his way.

The longer Goode drags this out, the more he takes from the Commonwealth's empty coffers. While a concession would be nice, I'd just be happy for Goode to stem the potential bleeding of our tax dollars on fruitless recounts or pointless contests. That money can be put to better use. And after some of the ugly attacks on Perriello during the campaign, he would look better making a classy exit rather than stomping away a sore, angry, bitter loser, kicking and screaming all the way.

Music Lover November 19th, 2008 | 6:09pm

Either the deadline is a deadline or it's not. Election laws/rules need to be enforced and enforceable. If the ballots had to be postmarked by November 1, any that were postmarked after that date should just be destroyed. Immediately.

I don't see this as being a debatable point. The idea that the ballots are from the military is 100% irrelevant. The first Tuesday in November wasn't set as the election data the week before, and when they received their absentee ballots I'm quite sure the info said to postmark their ballot by November 1.

Hey - couldn't get my s*** together to get to the polls on the 4th, so let's go to court and see if a judge will let me vote now!

I don't think so. If this doesn't get dismissed, the judge should be. The funny thing, if Perriello were behind we'd be hearing about how Goode is afraid the case would be heard by one of those mythical liberal judges who legislate from the bench (i.e. making up a new law), but since Goode's behind if the judge rules in his favor it'll be said that he's doing the right thing and following the spirit of the law.

Jeeze.

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